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RELIGION

Austria to shut down Saudi-backed interfaith centre

The Austrian foreign ministry said on Wednesday it would implement a vote by MPs on the topic of closing a controversial Saudi-funded centre. The facility was created for religious dialogue in the capital Vienna.

Published: 13 June 2019 09:36 CEST
Updated: 13 June 2019 12:01 CEST
Austria to shut down Saudi-backed interfaith centre
Faisal bin Abdulrahman Bin Muammar is the founding secretary-general of the KAICIID Centre. Photo: Alexander Klein/AFP

MPs voted on Wednesday to demand the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) be closed down following repeated criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

The latest vote was prompted by a recent case in which an 18-year-old was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for alleged crimes committed when he was a child.

Austria's foreign ministry said that it would comply with parliament's decision and was “checking the necessary legal steps” in order to do so.

The centre would be closed in a way that “will not cause damage to Austria's foreign policy interests and which is in line with international practice,” the ministry said in a statement.

The centre has been a periodic source of controversy since opening in 2012, with critics saying it offered the government in Riyadh a way to gloss over accusations of severe human rights violations.

In a statement on Wednesday KAICIID said it had “received the news of today's parliamentary vote with concern”.

“KAICIID stands by its record in fostering dialogue all over the world. It should be judged on this record,” the statement said.

KAICIID said its “activities cannot… be identified with any particular state”.

The centre was opened with great pomp by UN chief Ban Ki-moon and senior figures from the world's main religions.

Its founding treaty was signed by Austria, Spain and Saudi Arabia, with the Holy See participating as a founding observer.

Until recently the centre had always enjoyed a degree of political protection in Austria, particularly from the centre-right People's Party (ÖVP) and its leader Sebastian Kurz.

But the collapse of Kurz's government last month, and his subsequent removal as chancellor in a confidence vote, meant that other parties were able to join forces to vote for Wednesday's motion on KAICIID.

In 2015 the then Chancellor Werner Faymann, who hailed from the centre-left, threatened to withdraw support from the centre unless it condemned the public flogging of Saudi blogger Raef Badawi.

At that time Kurz was foreign minister and the ÖVP did not join Faymann's criticism.

For members

VIENNA

How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

If you live in Vienna, you have a great opportunity to grow your own vegetables and other plants in public spaces together with your neighbours.

Published: 17 April 2024 16:38 CEST
How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

While living in a larger city, growing your plants and vegetables might seem difficult. However, Vienna offers urban gardens where you can sow seeds with others from your neighbourhood.

When you walk around in the different districts of Vienna, you are likely to run into some of the city’s many communal gardens where residents grow plants, vegetables, or whatever they feel like. Sometimes, the urban garden is just a smaller wooden box in the middle of a pavement street, and other times, it occupies a larger area in a greener location. Every urban garden is different.

Meet, connect, and learn.

Following examples from cities like Paris, Berlin, London, and New York, community gardens are becoming increasingly common in Vienna. Schools and preschool groups are involved in many projects.

Since 2010, Vienna has actively supported urban gardens, with many projects in place and others in development. These gardens create urban green spaces and encourage neighbours to meet, connect, and participate in a community. Using the motto “Gemeinsam garteln verbindet” (gardening together connects), the gardens also promote closeness to nature within the city and knowledge about the production and quality of food.

Urban gardens allow you to grow your plants and meet others. Photo by Elisa Calvet B. on Unsplash

How do you get involved?

In Vienna, every district offers a certain number of urban gardens. To become a member, you can look at the options in your desired district and contact them directly to ask if there is space for you to participate.

On this website, you can find information about the different gardens based on districts and their contact information. It is good to email or phone them, tell them a bit about yourself and why you are interested, and see if you can participate. 

If you live in a Gemeindebau (social housing), there are special community gardens available for you, which you can find here.

Most urban gardens in Vienna are intended for long-term use, but there is also a possibility of participating in them for a shorter amount of time; everything depends on the specific garden you choose.

However, active participation is only possible for registered members in most projects. If you do not get an opportunity to participate immediately, you have some alternatives, such as Naschgarten in the 21st district, where you can go and lend a helping hand or taste the garden’s vegetables and fruits.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to start a Verein in Austria

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